Herders kill 6 more lions in Kenya, threatening conservation efforts

NAIROBI, Kenya

In a heartbreaking turn of events, herders in Kenya killed six more lions, plunging the East African nation's conservation success into jeopardy.

The lions, which reportedly killed livestock in search of food, were killed last month by herders in the Amboseli National Park located on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The killings of the lions, which have been confirmed by officials from the state-owned Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), have sounded alarm bells for the preservation of Kenya's wildlife.

In a statement, Kenya Wildlife Service said that in the Amboseli Ecosystem alone, a total of 10 lions had been killed in a month due to human-wildlife conflict.

KWS also noted that most lions and other wildlife have been straying from the park in search of food amidst the worst-ever drought in over 40 years in Eastern Africa.

‘A matter of survival’

Ilterish Saitoti, a Maasai herder, told Anadolu: “The lions have been attacking our cattle relentlessly, leaving us with no choice but to defend ourselves. It's a matter of survival.”

Others who spoke to Anadolu lamented the emotional and economic toll of lions preying on their valuable livestock – their only economic mainstay –, leading to unfortunate clashes between humans and wildlife.

Philip Muruthi, the vice president of Species Conservation and Science at Africa Wildlife Foundation, emphasized the importance of maintaining the progress made in community engagement despite the recent tragic incident of human-wildlife conflict.

Speaking with Anadolu, Muruthi stated: “In this particular area, there have been efforts which have been made before and have borne fruits in terms of community engagement. So this particular incident should not be allowed to pull back those efforts.”

He highlighted the successful recovery of the lion population and the existence of a community-based approach to addressing such incidents, including a consolation scheme.

Muruthi suggested exploring additional measures such as insurance compensation and implementing controls within the community to investigate the root causes of the incident.

He further emphasized the effectiveness of mitigating conflicts in the affected Amboseli ecosystem by improving husbandry practices, constructing lion-proof enclosures called Bomas, working with communities, and collaborating with Kenya Wildlife Service on a comprehensive action plan for wildlife conservation.

‘Lion’s roar reduced to cry for intervention’

As herders seek retribution for livestock and domestic animal losses, the delicate balance between human livelihoods and the fragile ecosystem is being shattered.

Experts say that with each life lost, the very essence of Kenya's conservation efforts is threatened, as the lion’s roar, once a symbol of strength and beauty, has been reduced to a cry for intervention.

Tourism and wildlife are vital to Kenya, as they contribute to economic growth, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.

Last month, Kenya's oldest and most iconic lion, named Lonkiito, was killed by herders also at the Amboseli National Park.

The lion was renowned among tourists on safari for being one of the most photographed lions.